How to remove LaCl3 from filter socks?

[Miami Reef]

It’s been 22ppb (0.067ppm) for 2 days. I think all the phosphates are leeched out! Lanthanum chloride is heaven gold! I’m extremely happy with the results.

I will maintain lower nutrients with GFO. I will store the lanthanum away. :)

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Great. Keep us updated. :)

 

[Sshannon]

I know that lanthanum chloride will bind to acrylic surfaces. I had that issue in the past. I had to buff it out.

 

[Sean Clark]

I know that lanthanum chloride will bind to acrylic surfaces. I had that issue in the past. I had to buff it out.

Where did you come up with that conclusion? I am curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I know that lanthanum chloride will bind to acrylic surfaces. I had that issue in the past. I had to buff it out.

That would not be lanthanum chloride. A precipitate of lanthanum phosphate or lanthanum carbonate may precipitate onto surfaces. Under seawater might be challenging, but outside a tank it can be dissolved with acid.

 

[Sshannon]

That would not be lanthanum chloride. A precipitate of lanthanum phosphate or lanthanum carbonate may precipitate onto surfaces. Under seawater might be challenging, but outside a tank it can be dissolved with acid.

Ah, thank you for the correction. It was white and hazy.

 

[Miami Reef]

Phosphates jumped to 47ppb (0.144ppm)

 

[Miami Reef]

Phosphates went down to 37ppb by itself.

@Randy Holmes-Farley

I don’t have any clams in the tank yet, but I will add some soon. First I will do an ICP.

Can you explain how lanthanum kills clams? Does it bind to the clam, or does the free lathanum cause the issues?

If there is free lanthanum in the water, how do we remove it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you explain how lanthanum kills clams? Does it bind to the clam, or does the free lathanum cause the issues?

If there is free lanthanum in the water, how do we remove it?

I do not know that it does for sure kill clams, or if it does, how.

Here are two possible explanations...

1. Lanthanum phosphate/carbonate particles get into and clog up important filtering structures in clams.

2. Lanthanum deposits onto/into calcium carbonate and impacts the placement of new shell material (it is known to get into human bones from humans using it, but that may or may not be a problem for them).

If it is #1, then the free lanthanum is not the issue.

Water changes can reduce it, as will waiting for it to precipitate.

 

[Sean Clark]

I have not seen any negative effects on my clam, but that is a very small data set. I also have not used LC in over a year but I have used it with my same clam in the system multiple times.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thank you both! I really appreciate it very much.

Question, how fast does lanthanum react with carbonate to form the percipient? Is it likely an ICP done in a few days will be able to determine free lanthanum?

 

[38bill]

That would not be lanthanum chloride. A precipitate of lanthanum phosphate or lanthanum carbonate may precipitate onto surfaces. Under seawater might be challenging, but outside a tank it can be dissolved with acid.

Randy, I am looking for a cleaner/remover for my 5 and 10 micron socks that have been used with lanthanum. Can you tell me what kind of acid I can use? Thanks.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy, I am looking for a cleaner/remover for my 5 and 10 micron socks that have been used with lanthanum. Can you tell me what kind of acid I can use? Thanks.

Citric or vinegar are first choices (but slower), muriatic acid diluted into ro/di or tap water is a second choice (but faster).

 

[38bill]

Thanks, I have all three so I'm good to go.